Spotlight



Jan. 24, 1928.

C. A. WHITSETT SPOTLIGHT Original Filed Aug J5. 1921 llllillm mm mm.

I I ERIN/Z0):

Patented Jan. 24, 1928:.

UNITED STATES arser QEFIQE;

CAMERON A. VFHI'ISETT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. ASSIGIIOR, BY IVIESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

T0 THE CLYE'IER MANUFACTURING CSMPANY, OF ROCKFORD, ELLINOIS, A GORPO- EATION OF CQLORADO.

POTLIGHT.

Original application filed August 15, 1921, Serial No. 492,2'2'5. Divided and this application filed May 25,

. 1922. Serial No. 563,631.

The present invention relates to spot lamps for automobiles, motor boats, and the like and is divisional of my co-pending application Serial lilo. M32275 filed August 15,1921. j i

Morespecifically, the invention is concerned with that type of spot lamp which, in the automobile adaptation, is operable from a control member located within the drivers compartment. The preeminent advantage of this construction resides in the ability to operate the spot lamp from within thecar in any type of car, and under any condition; Spot lamps having this interior control feature are particularly adaptable to use on limousines, and other closed "ars and, in fact, are the only types of spot lamps which can be practically mounted on a closed type otcar. Similarly, in the case of the open body car, this control feature permits convenient operation of the spot lamp when the side curtains or" the ar are down, without the objectionable necessity of untastening the side curtains, and exposing the hand or arm to the weather.

One of the fundamental objects of themvention is to provide such a'construction of lamp employing-an improved arrangement of ball and socket oint which can be mounted directly in the Windshield, or in the corner rail or adjacent part oft-he car.

A further object of the invention isto provide improved means for holding the lamp in an adjusted position. This restraining means may'utilize spring pressure exerted preferably between the ball and socket or it may take the form of a positive lock for holding the ball positively in the socket. lVhen embodied in the form of a positive lock this lock is so devisedthat its operation does not hinder or encumber the adjustment ot the lamp.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide an improved construction of spherical socket which can be assembled and mounted in the windshieldwith ease and facility, and

a still further object is to provide an improved manner of mounting this socket so that it ill be cushioned against causmg 1njury to the windslneldglass.

Other objects Will appear in the "following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawlng, in which:

Fig. 1 is a horizontal sectional view through one form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on an'enlarged scale, taken on the plane of the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and on the plane of the 1 line of Fig. 3; i

Fig. 3' is a transverse sectional viewtaken on the plane oi the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;,and

lug. at is a fragmentary sectional View,

similar to Fig. 1, ot a modified construction. i

Fig. 1 illustrates my improved type of lamp mounted directly in the windshield or corner rail, this figure representing a horizontal'sectional View through the body of the automobile adjacent one end of the windshield. One otthe corner posts or standards for supporting the top is indicated at 5, and a side panel or door is indicated at 6. The windshield glass is represented at 7. The spot lamp is designated 14.- and is supported on a ball 15 Which is mounted in a spherical socket 16. The manner or mounting the socket 16 may be modified widely within the scope of the invention. either in accordance with the circumstances or the particular installation, or in accordance with the wishes of the manufacturer or users For example, the, spherical socket may be mounted wholly within the glass oil the windshield so as to be supportedentire ly by the glass; orit may be mounted at the margin of the Windshield so as to be supported partly or entirely by the marginal rail which faces the edge of and moves with the Windshield, Obviously, insteadof either or these the socket could be supported directly 1n the corner rail or standard 5.

In Figure 1 the spherical socket is shown as having a member 8 of channel section engaged by the socket. This channel member may be extended around the socket in either an opening or a marginal recess in the windshield glass. In the latter instance,

this channel member-can, if desired, be so:

cured to the marginal rail extending along the edge of the glass. This marginal rail may be considered as either the upper side oi bottomrail of the windshield. The rail 9 is preferably of angular section and abuts the shoulder 11 on the corner standard 5. To prevent the eight and jarringof the lamp from cracking or otherwise injuring with a similar flange 23.

socket sections.

the glass, gaskets, or a lacing of; rubber, cork or other suitable cushioning material may be interposed between the glass 7 and the metallic structure of the lamp mounting as indicated at lQ; this cushioning material also preventingany pressures exerted by the socket sections or by the channel incinher 8, from injuring the glass. The cushioning material is preferably interposed between the glass and the lamp mountingon each side of the glass and may also heex tended to line the inner surface of the recess or opening in the glass. The handle 17 for manipnlatingthe ball and lamp extends into the drivei"s compartment in convenient positioirfor operation.

Thesocltetlfiis constnictedio't front and rear sections 18 and 19 which areinonnted in the front and rear ends oi? the opening in the glass. These sections are formed withcooperating selni-sphericf depressions which combine to produce the socket 16. One or both of the socket sections has a flange or hub extcndinginto the mounting opening for holding the socket against lateral play the sections. Thesegrooves are preferably cut so that theirflateral fwalls extend inwardly towards the center oiithe spherical socket ona substantially radial plane the center groove belngttormed by uniting half grooves cut int-he opposing faces of both For-engaging in these hacking grooves 24, the ball lo is provided \vitlraiplurality of small it plungers 31 which are adapted-to be projected into or out of theball in accordancewith the position oractuation of the handle 17. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the hall 15 is constructed of front and rear-semi spheres 26 and 27 which are united on the diainetrical plane 28 by screws or pins 29. ll desired these pins or screws can be arranged l'fllltrlllit a limited expansionof the hall, in the socket for securing a tight fit and for frictionally restraining the hall in the socket! The locking plnngers 31 areadapted to be projected outwardly of the sphere through openings 32 formed in theopposing faces of the sections"26 and 2T onthe diainetricalplane 28. Each-plungerfll constitutespart of a springpressedblock 33 which is adapted for reciprocation in the radial oam 11 guideways 34; formed in the lane of the front spherical. section 26. Each l loch llll is normally thrust outwardly under the action of a compression spring: 35 in the inner end of the guideway, The are adapted to be retracted into the confines of the sphere 15 by merely thrusting the control handle 17 forwardly into the sphere 15.

The cylindrical neck portion of the handle 1s guided-for reciprocating motion in the rear-ball section 27 and the inner end of this neck portion is threaded for the reeeption of a collar 37 which operatesin a cylindrical recess 38 in the rear section. For each sliding block 33 there provided an inclined-arm 39 projecting from the collar 37. Each inclined arm engages in a slot in itscorresponding block :33, the arm hearing on an inclined face in the slot; A narrow recesstl is provided in front of each hloelt for receiving the armflll when the same is thrust inwardly. A con'ipression spring it? extends from a bore in the front ball Section 26.:1nd bears against the end of the handle 1;? to norn'iallv thrust thehandlc 17. the cani arms 3.), and possibly the rear hall section 27 haclnvardly.

It will he notodfroin the foregoing that by merely thrusting the handle 17 "forwardly. the cam arms 39 retract all of the locking plungers 31 from the annular grooves 2 t in the socket and permit the lamp to turn to any position. Upon releasina the handle 17 the same is thrust haclcwardly by the compression spring; 421 which acts to thrust the. locking planners -31 outwardly so locking plungcrs til) ill)

into one ormore of the locking grooves ltwill be apparent thathv an obvious reversalof the slope of the cams the handle 1mm be made toMi-elease the positive lock lly fl backward pull onthe handle. it

suchinotion shonldl'ie" more desirablel The condnctingcordefi is extended liiaclm'ardlv through-the ball' and socket: joint tln-rnin h alignedvboresett in thelainp stem and in the handle. this? cord being led downwardly out of thevhandlo bore'l, i v i v we a i I have: only shonintwo interlocking plungers 31 spaced atdJOT .By this arrangement, if one of the locking planners should cointhrn a hole lz'iintcrsecting that cide with theacisot'adjustment or inclina-iy tion of thelainw'tho other plnngerwrnild nevertheless be in position to lock the lanip by mun-i ziiniflin one/of the Lrooves Ell. ll will be apparent, o'E courst that three or even. more of these locking plnnln'ers ll. could he, proividedjin the sphere; 155 and l with any dcsireda spacinp; 1hetween =1the planners.

l l here t desirablethat the; sphere 15 he incapable of axial lfitfltltlll'ldnwlillfi socket 16.

as for preventing.discord 43 from beingl il lZWIStIGCl oil, the sphere may be provided with a pinpi'ojection 46-for engaging in a groove 4? extending axially of the socket 116 and plungcrs 3131, this pin is preferably rated intermediate the lockingplungers as positive shown in Fig. 3, the pin and groove connection between the ball and socket preventing rotation of one relative to the other, but permitting free angular adjustment of the ball into any position.

In Fig. hthe separation of the ball sections under theaction of the compression spring therebetwcen is utilized to obtain a as well as a frictional lock between the ball and socket member. Thesocket 16 is constructed similarly to the above socket by the joining of the front and rear socket sections l819. The front ball section 26 is formed with a boss l8 which has a suitable mounting upon an extension 49 projecting from the rear ball section 27. A compression spring 51, which is recessed into each ball; section, normally spreads the two ball sections apart into firm contact with the walls of the spherical socket. As above indicated, this compression pressure which the spring 51 normally exerts between the ball and the socket may be utilized alone as a fr ctional detent or restraining means for holding the ball in any desired position. IV here a positive locking function is desired, however, this function is obtained by providing a plurality of locking recesses 52 closely grouped about the surface of the rear ball. These recesses are adapted for cooperating with a. spherical lockingdetent or hump 53, which is carried on the rear socket section 19. This hump is preferably positioned at the inner end of the flange 54, in proximity to the longitudinal axis of the ball and handlel'i", so that the hump will be able to clear itself of-the locking r-ecesses52 when the handle 17 is thrust inwardly. iVhen the handle 17 is released after the setting of the lamp, the compression spring .31 thrusts the rear ball section backwardly into frictional contactwith-the socket and engages the locking hump 53 in the nearest locking recess 52, thereby locking the lamp in adjusted position. The relation of re cesses and hump may, of course, be reversed by forming the hump on the sphere and the recesses in the socket. It is also possible to obtain this positive locking function by serrating the opposing faces of the ball and socket portions 27 and 19, as by roughly scoring these faces and hardening the surfaces to prevent wear. The conducting cord alt-3 is extended through the hall and socket joint and out through the handle 17 in substantially the same manner as above described. This form of ball and socket joint may also be provided with a pin 46 and longitudinal groove 47 to prevent rotation between the ball and socket if desired. In-

stead of being cylindrical as above described, the extension 49 maybe of any polygonal formation for reception in a similarly "ormed bore in the boss 48 so as to prevent relative rotation between the front and rear bail sections 26 and 27. g

It will be apparent, of course, that numor ous changes may be made in the particular embodiment herein shown without departi'ng from the spirit and scope of the inven tion.

I claim:

1. In a spot light adapted for mountii'ig in automobile windshields. the combination of a socket comprising two socket sections engaging in an opening in the wind shield, each of said socket sections having an opening therethrough, a spot light, universal n ountingmeans in said socket connected to said spot light through the opening in the outer socket section, a handle for actuating sa d spot light through the opening in the inner socket section. said handle having universal angular motion relative to said socket, and also having a separate lock actuating motion, and lock means movable with said mounting means and having operative conneclfon with said handle, whereby said lock means is actuated by the lock actuating motion of said handle.

2. In a spot light adapted for mounting in tilllZOll'lOiJlle\VlllCl shields, the combination of a spherical socket comprising two socket sections, flanges adapted to engage on opposite sides of the wind shield for holding said socket in the windshield, each of said socket sections having an opening therethrough, a spot light, a. spherical mounting member in said socket connected to said spot light through the opening in the outer socket section, a handle for actuating said spherical mounting member through the opening in the inner socket section, said handle having universal angular motion relative to said socket, and lock means operated by axial movement of said handle.

3. In a spot light adapted for mounting in automobile wind shields, the combination of a socket adapted for mounting in an opening in an automobile wind shield, a spot light, mounting means in said socket connected to said spot light, a handle for actuating said mounting means, said op'erating handle having universal angular motion relative to said socket. detent means tending to hold said spot light in its differet positions of adjustment, and a spring, the pressure of which is overcome solely by 1notion of saidhandle, for rendering said detentmeans effective.

4. In a spot light adapted for mounting in automobile wind shields, the combination of a socket comprising two socket sections adapted for mounting-in an opening in the automobile wind shield, eachof said socket spot light in its diiierentpositions of adustment, said detent means comprising a spring for rendering said detent: means effectivo, and means for varying the pressure of said spring by the endwise motion of said handle. a i i a 5. In aspotiight adapted for mounting in automobile wind shields, the combination of a: socket and co-operating mounting means having universal angular adjustment in said socket, means for securing said socketin an opening in the wind shield, a spot light for disposalon the outside of the Wind shield connected to vsaid co-operating mounting means, an operating handle for actuating said spot light by the direct transmission of all adjusting motion to saidspot light through said mounting means and lock means releasable by movement 01 the: handle relatively through a portion of said mounting means for holding't-he spot light in its different positions of adjustment, said lock means relocking the spot light automatically after each adjustment.

(5. In a spot light adapted for mounting in automobile wind shields, the combination of a socket and co-operating inountingnieans having universal angular adjustment insaid socket, means for securing said socket in an opening in thewind shield, a spot light for disposal on the outside-of the vvind shield 1TH and interlockingly engaged with the inteoewe-1 connected to saidnn'ounting means, an operatin Mhaxidle for iactuating said spot light directly through said mounting means from the lnside 01* the WlIlCl slueld and detent meanstor holdlng the spot light in (hil'crent positions of zuiljustment, said detent means socket sectio11s,;1said socket sections having aligned openings therethrough, a pair of flanges carried byfitlld socket and engageable upon opposite sides of the Wind shield,

cushioning means of pliable material interposed between said flanges and the wind shieldglass, mounting means having uniangulan adjustment in said i socket,

rior of one of said socket sections, a spot light for dispdsal on the outside of the wind shield connected to saidmounting means through the opening in said outer socket rill section, anioperating handle having connection with said moui'iting means and interlockingly engaged with the interior of one of said socketsections through the opening 1n said inner socket section, one of said SOClIGLSGGtlODS havlng a hub portion extending into theqaperture in said wind shield, and having a scretvthread, the other of said socket sections having a cooperating screw thread forengaging with said hub portion. 1 a it a 1 i In WltIlGSS whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 23rd day of May, 1922.

CANI'ERONMX. WHITSET'I. 

